Football Kenya Federation (FKF) is currently grappling with a severe financial crisis largely fueled by escalating legal fees and pending sanctions that have accumulated to over Sh270 million. This financial burden is seriously undermining the federation’s ability to operate and sustain essential football development programs across the country.
The federation’s recent financial disclosures reveal a worrying state of affairs. FKF is facing total financial obligations exceeding Sh600 million, placing immense pressure on its capacity to deliver key initiatives aimed at nurturing football talent and maintaining competitive structures in Kenyan football. The mounting legal costs and liabilities are a critical factor in this financial strain.
A breakdown of FKF’s legal expenses shows that as of January 2025, external legal counsel fees had already reached nearly Sh27 million. In addition, FKF faces pending legal liabilities amounting to approximately Sh19 million from ongoing cases before the FIFA Tribunal. These cases highlight the protracted nature of FKF’s legal battles, which include disputes over governance, unpaid fees, and contractual disagreements spanning several years.
One of the most pressing challenges for FKF is a legal suit filed by AFS International GMBH, a private firm demanding that the federation be declared insolvent over a debt of Sh35.7 million. This dispute originates from a lucrative broadcast rights agreement signed by FKF with Azam Media in August 2023, valued at $9.1 million (approximately Sh1.3 billion). The federation has reportedly failed to meet its payment obligations under this deal, despite multiple reminders, further deepening its financial woes.
FKF is not only contending with domestic legal issues but is also under pressure from international football authorities. FIFA has imposed several sanctions on the federation, including a deduction of Sh5.5 million from FKF’s FIFA Forward funding. This deduction is linked to a fine associated with the delayed payment of Sh109 million owed to former Harambee Stars head coach Adel Amrouche. Amrouche successfully pursued legal action against FKF for wrongful dismissal, with his compensation initially set at Sh60 million but later increased after an appeal.
Moreover, FKF faces a potential fine of Sh18 million related to an ongoing disciplinary matter involving Zoo Football Club, which was relegated in 2021 due to match-fixing allegations. If FKF loses this case, FIFA is expected to enforce a 20 percent cut in future FIFA Forward fund allocations to the federation.
The financial difficulties extend to Kenya’s youth teams as well. For instance, the Kenya Under-17 women’s national team was fined Sh400,000 during the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, adding further strain on FKF’s already tight budget.
An audit by the FKF Transition Committee highlighted that the federation is entangled in at least 21 legal disputes, encompassing issues from electoral disputes to historical contractual disagreements. These ongoing battles reflect structural problems within the federation, with unresolved matters from previous administrations compounding current challenges.
The cumulative effect of these legal and financial pressures is a federation struggling to maintain normal operations and deliver on its football development promises. With legal fees and sanctions consuming a significant portion of the budget, FKF’s ability to invest in grassroots programs, infrastructure development, and national team support is severely compromised.
Unless the federation can find a way to resolve these legal battles and stabilize its finances, Kenyan football risks stagnation, with potential negative impacts on player development, league competitiveness, and the country’s standing in regional and international football. The ongoing financial quagmire threatens not just FKF’s credibility but the future growth of football in Kenya as a whole.
